Before a Storyville letter finds its way into a mailbox — tied in ribbon, sealed with care — it begins quietly, like all good stories do.
It starts with an idea.
A whisper, really.
A scene glimpsed.
A character who won’t stay quiet.
✍️ 1. Writing the Story — One Letter at a Time
Our process begins long before ink meets paper. Each story we send is crafted to unfold slowly, building chapter by chapter across a full year — 24 letters in total.
Some stories are mysteries. Others, romances. All of them are personal, immersive, and handwritten in spirit (though printed for postal reliability).
We ask:
What would it feel like to discover someone else's correspondence — and slowly realize the story is for you?
The writing is intimate. Letters are drafted with rhythm, cadence, and humanity, as if penned by someone living inside the world we’ve created.
📜 2. Designing the Look & Feel — A Love Letter to Texture
Each letter isn’t just written — it’s styled.
We choose vintage typefaces, textured paper stocks, and layout elements that make it feel like something you’d stumble across in an attic or tucked into a book.
You might receive:
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A postcard from a fictional town
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A hotel memo with mysterious scribbles
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A long letter with emotional weight
We source paper and envelope combinations that feel tactile, timeworn, and personal. You don’t just read these letters — you keep them.
✉️ 3. Preparing for Dispatch — The Ritual of the Mailroom (a.k.a. our dining room table)
Twice a month, our studio — which is also our dining room — transforms into a mailroom.
Stacks of letters are sorted, sealed, tied with ribbon, and labeled for destinations near and far — all following our carefully planned mailing calendar.
If you’ve ever wondered:
“How do they time this so perfectly?”
The answer: we live by our schedule.
Letters are mailed during the first and third weeks of each month, and your first delivery depends on when you subscribe.
(💌 See our full shipping timeline here if you're curious.)
Watch a real day in the Storyville ‘mailroom’ — a cozy dining table where letters are sorted, addressed, and prepped for their journeys.
💫 4. The Moment of Arrival —
What You See, What You Feel
This is the part we don’t control — and that’s what makes it beautiful.
You come home, check the mail, and in between bills or flyers… there it is.
An envelope. Your name. A story.
Some people open it right away.
Others save it for a quiet evening with tea.
Some frame them. Some cry. Some send us notes back.
This is what we love most.
Because we believe letters can still surprise.
Still move you.
Still matter.
🎁 Want to Start the Story?
Whether you're gifting someone you love — or yourself — you can begin a year of slow storytelling any day you like.
📬 Explore our subscriptions and gift options here →
And if you’re wondering about delivery timing, international shipping, or how to subscribe — our FAQ page has you covered.